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Read. Follow. Verify.Hearing on the History and Enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
Record date · January 1, 2020
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What This Bill Does
This document is a transcript of a March 12, 2019, House Judiciary hearing regarding the history and current enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The hearing featured testimony from legal experts and civil rights advocates to examine the status of voting rights protections in the United States.
The hearing serves as a formal record of Congressional inquiry into the effectiveness of the Voting Rights Act, which directly impacts federal oversight of state election laws and the protection of voting access for citizens.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
U.S. Citizens
The enforcement of the Voting Rights Act determines the legal protections and procedures for citizens participating in federal, state, and local elections.
State Election Officials
These officials must comply with federal standards and oversight established under the Voting Rights Act.
Key Facts
- The hearing was held on March 12, 2019, by the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
- The primary subject of the hearing was the history and enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- Four expert witnesses provided oral and prepared testimony: Catherine Lhamon, Thomas Saenz, Peyton McCrary, and L. Paige Whitaker.
- The hearing took place in Room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
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- The subcommittee chair is authorized to declare recesses at any time during the proceedings.
- The hearing record includes supplemental items submitted by Mike Johnson, Peyton McCrary, Steve Cohen, and Sheila Jackson Lee.
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News Coverage
The Supreme Court just handed down two surprisingly timid Voting Rights Act decisions
The Supreme Court issued two decisions regarding the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on Monday. The article characterizes these rulings as limited in scope compared to previous judicial actions concerning the law.
Black voters view Scott Colom's historic US Senate win through lens of Mississippi's racial legacy
Democrat Scott Colom defeated Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith to win a U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi, marking the first time a Black man has represented the state in the Senate in nearly 150 years. Colom's historic victory follows a high-turnout election driven by voter dissatisfaction with the state's economy, school systems, and health care infrastructure. His win ends decades of white conservative and Republican dominance in Mississippi's statewide federal representation.
Civil rights groups make urgent plea for voting rights in DC, ahead of midterm elections
Civil rights organizations gathered on the National Mall on Friday to advocate for voting rights protections ahead of the midterm elections. The demonstration follows recent nationwide changes to voting laws and redistricting processes that critics argue disproportionately affect Black Americans.
Takeaways from major Supreme Court rulings as the term comes to a close
The Supreme Court concluded its term with several major rulings that expand presidential authority over federal agencies, restrict the scope of the Voting Rights Act, and uphold various immigration enforcement policies. While the Court limited the President's power to bypass Congress on tariffs and birthright citizenship, it simultaneously strengthened the executive branch's control over independent regulators.
Some paid the ultimate price to enact voting rights. Their survivors see America turning backward
Survivors of civil rights activists killed in the 1960s express concern over recent Supreme Court rulings that have weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965. These families argue that the legal protections their loved ones died for are being dismantled, leading to new challenges in voting access and representation.
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
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Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Focus on VRA Enforcement
The hearing indicates a legislative focus on re-evaluating the enforcement mechanisms of the Voting Rights Act in the 116th Congress.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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